One Prep- 4 Salad Jars !

Prep salad vegetables once but eat healthy salad jars for four days! 

I love salad, but I often dread having to take all the produce out of the refrigerator, wash it, clean it, and clean up the mess I make when I make a salad. 

No more excuses to skip eating salads!

Making salad jars allows me to have one messy prep hour but eat delicious salad for four or even five days! 

This fabulous kitchen time saving tip and encourages healthier eating especially when I am feeling tired (or lazy). 

In addition, my lettuce actually stays fresher and doesn't go bad  because I might not even take the time to make a salad if I'm busy.  

 

My Power Hour - 

I call my salad prep time my power hour, even though I'm usually done prepping 4-5 days worth of salad in 40 minutes for two of us. I call it my power hour because I am making powerful antioxidant rich power food during my power hour-

Clean and chop salad fixings during your power hour-
enjoy healthy fresh salad for 4-5 days!

I make a variety of chopped vegetables and then layer the jars. I then dump the jar into a bowl when we are ready to eat it. The healthy salad is crisp and fresh like I just made it. 

I make enough for 4 or 5 dinner salads for two. We eat one large salad the same day that I make it, and then I fill 4 other Mason or regular jars with layered salad.

It's vital for good health to eat a variety of all kids of colorful vegetables everyday to consume fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. You don't have to be vegan, to appreciate a delicious salad.

This delicious cabbage slaw with peanuts and edamame can be stored in salad jars as well. Click on the recipe for this salad 
Link: Asian Peanut Cabbage Slaw 

Salad jars make it easy and do-able to eat healthier no matter how busy you are. 

Plan Your Shopping List to Include All Your Salad Fixings

The important thing is to make sure you plan your shopping list and have a variety of tasty produce in your refrigerator such as lettuce, celery, cucumbers, red cabbage, scallions, snow peas, sugar snap peas, parsley, carrots, baby spinach or anything else you like in a salad. You can also layer with beans (drain well) or other proteins. 

Add salad dressing just before you eat your salad

                     Link : 7 not to miss salad dressings.                                 

Questions: 

Q:  Does salad stay fresh and crisp in the jars?

A:  Yes, as long as your jar is clean and dry. Also make sure to shake off or pat dry excess moisture from lettuce as well. 

Q: What kind of jar do you use? 

A: Mason Jars are perfect but I also save any wide mouth jar with a tight fitting lid. I use both and either type of jar works great!

Q: How long can the salad stay fresh in the jars? 

A: I leave it up to 4 days. Use one of the salad jars the first night.

Q: When do you add the salad dressing?

A: I wait until I serve the salad. Dressing may make the salad soggy.

Q: Do you have a good salad dressing?

A: Yes, as a matter of fact I have recipes for 7 homemade delicious dressings. Here is a link for 7 not to miss salad dressings.

Ingredients: 

3 cups of chopped red cabbage

2 cups of sliced celery

1 cup of chopped scallions

2 cups of sliced cucumber

2 cups of shredded carrot

6 cups of chopped romaine lettuce

2 cups of baby spinach

1 cup of chopped parsley

Optional: 2 cups of cooked and drained chick peas (or from a can)

Directions: 

Assemble all of your washed and chopped ingredients in a large bowl. Divide the ingredients between 4 or 5 large wide mouthed jars. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator.

Shared on Weekend Cooking at The Intrepid Reader and Baker

Disclaimer: The information in this post is for educational and informational purposes only. Everyone has different dietary needs. I am not a medical doctor and do not know what is best for you. Always consult your medical doctor before making changes in your diet.